BBC admits lapse over discussion of Prince Harry interview
The BBC has admitted to a 'lapse' in its editorial standards for failing to reflect the views of Buckingham Palace and the government when it discussed its Prince Harry interview on the Today programme.
The issue arose in the Saturday edition of the flagship Radio 4 programme, which aired the day after the Duke of Sussex had told the corporation in a television interview that he was the victim of a 'a good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up'.
The claims were repeated during the interview with Richard Aitch, a former close protection officer, but were not 'properly challenged' by the presenter.
'I think Prince Harry has nailed it … it is an establishment stitch-up. It's clear that the entire process had been caught up in emotion and appears to be nothing other than spite from the royal household,' Aitch said. 'It's retributive justice for Megxit, not any balanced, formalised approach to assessment of threats and risks.'
On its corrections and clarifications website, the BBC admitted that it was remiss in not including the government's view in its report. 'This case is ultimately the responsibility of the Home Office and we should have reflected their statement,' it said.
It also noted that Today had failed to reflect Buckingham Palace's response.
In his interview with the BBC Harry addressed losing his final appeal to maintain his right to taxpayer-funded police security when he is in the UK.
The Home Office said: 'We are pleased that the court has found in favour of the government's position in this case. The UK government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security.'
Harry also appeared to blame both the King and the former Conservative government for stripping him of his police protection. 'There is a lot of control and ability in my father's hands,' he said. 'Ultimately, this whole thing could be resolved through him. Not necessarily by intervening, but by stepping aside, allowing the experts to do what is necessary.'
In a statement responding to the interview a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ''All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.'
Aitch, who now works in the private security sector, reiterated the comments he made during his interview.
'There should not be any need [for the BBC] to apologise for opinion-based interviews,' he posted on X. 'Absence of a threat and risk assessment on Prince Harry, where the focus is on legal process influenced by the recommendations of a committee that is not independent, defines 'stitch-up'.'
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